County hears ideas on balancing budget

Livingston County officials are working to balance the 2016 general fund budget. At this point in the process, there is about a $2.5 million gap between revenues and expenses.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

However, “the building is not as functional as it should be,” Boyd said, adding that upgrades such as “furniture, radios and phones” are all “moveable equipment.”

Another topic was whether to make the emergency manager a permanent, full-time position or keep it a part of someone’s responsibilities — Sheriff’s Department Lt. Mike Kinaschuk does it now.

Boyd said a full-time emergency manager is needed to handle things like active-shooter preparedness at public schools and to be prepared for “those things you don’t plan for,” like weather and national security threats.

He also said protocol software for fire and police dispatch, which would, in part, prioritize calls, is “top on our list.”

County Planning Director Kathleen Kline-Hudson said there are only “little changes” that impact the amount her department is asking for, a “less than 2 percent adjustment” from the 2015 revised budget.

She said an approximately $5,600 increase is a result of projected master planning costs, per diems and advertising.

There is a good deal of interest in lake improvements, and “as lakes age and you see more and more weed growth, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get more people who approach us” to do their lakes, he said.

He said construction of a new sewer system at Lake Tyrone in Tyrone and Hartland townships would start “next month.”

He also said the drain office is building up “a sizable reserve” for pump replacement.

Building department official Jim Rowell said revenue has increased “by more than 20% over the last few years.”

“We are anticipating a flat budget next year because we will be dropping our new construction permit fee prices by 25%,” Rowell explained Thursday in an email.

The next set of department requests is scheduled for Sept. 8 and the courts will present budget requests on Sept. 9.

Contact Livingston Daily county and townships reporter Jennifer Eberbach at 517-548-7148 or at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTheWriter.